How do you keep a money tree from getting leggy?

Money Trees have a tendency to get leggy around the top, so many people prefer to keep upper leaves trimmed back for a more balanced appearance. To encourage new growth or a fuller shape: New stems will very likely emerge from the node below where you cut, allowing the plant to branch out and develop fuller growth.

How can I make my Money Tree more bushy?

Prune Them Well: Pruning will make your Money Plant look bushier. If you don't, the stems will keep trailing, looking thinner. As Money plants can grow in areas with low light, they can develop sparse leaves and a non-sculpted look. With the help of pruning shears, prune the leaves and stems of the Money Plant.

Can you cut the top off a Money Tree?

The money tree can be pruned by cutting off the stem, and new growth will appear at the cut over time. With careful maintenance, you can direct the growth of your plant in a style that is most pleasing to you.

Why is my money plant leggy?

A Pilea becomes leggy because of inefficient exposure to bright, indirect light. This can most often be fixed by moving your plant to a location that receives more light. If your plant is extremely leggy, topping the plant may be your best course of action.

How do you thicken a money tree trunk?

As such, the best way to thicken the trunk of your Money Tree is by naturally allowing the trunk to get thicker over time. However, that could take years, even with fast-growing tree species.

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Should I Unbraid money tree?

Mature, unbraided trunks are usually resistant to bending and movement. At this point, it is not advisable to try to braid the trunk of the tree. If the trunks do not bend properly, they may snap, leaving you with an injured plant. If this happens, your tree may slowly recover, growing new stems and leaves.

How do you make a tree bushier?

Cut branches directly across from other branches on the trunk so the branches are spaced at intervals. Removing dead or damaged branches will improve the health of the tree and allow more sunlight to reach the leaves giving the tree more energy for growth.

How do you take care of a money tree indoors?

These plants like a moderately humid room and deep but infrequent watering. Water the plants until the water runs from the drainage holes and then let them dry out between watering. If your home is on the dry side, you can increase the humidity by placing the pot on a saucer filled with pebbles.

How do you encourage branch growth?

Pruning is one of the best ways to encourage a tree branch to grow. Pruning and thinning upper-story plants to allow more light into a poorly performing understory tree or bush can help stimulate growth in a branch.

What is the lifespan of a money tree?

If properly maintained, domestic money trees can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. Interestingly enough, money trees that grow in the wild (in South and Central America) are known to last over 30 years or more.

When should you repot a money tree?

Money trees usually need to be repotted every three years. When repotting, choose pots with good drainage holes and keep the bottom lined with rocks or gravel. While you can trim back some root growth, take care to not cut off more than 25% of the roots. The best time to repot is during the early spring.

Why is the money tree braided?

The braided trunk of the Chinese Money Tree is said to be able to trap fortune within its folds. The five leaves typically found on a stalk are said to represent the five elements of balance: earth, fire, water, wind, and metal.

Do you need to trim money trees?

Money trees should be pruned if they start to grow too tall or wide for their pots. You may notice branches or leaves extending out from the top or sides of the tree. This means it's time to prune the tree to reshape it and encourage healthy growth. Remove brown or wilted leaves with pruning.

How do you prune a braided money tree?

When pruning your plant, take a step back and look at the entire shape of the canopy, and determine which branches to remove to give it to restore an even, balanced shape. Use sharp, clean shears and cut any excessive growth at the base of the stem.

Do money trees like to be root bound?

There are some misconceptions about how Money Trees prefer to be kept. The fact is that few plants prefer to be root bound, regardless of what type they are. There are many plants, including Money Trees, that can tolerate being root bound, but that isn't necessarily a comfortable way for them to live.

Why is my money tree drooping?

OVERWATERING: The most common reason for nearly every ailment your Money Tree is experiencing is overwatering. If you've given your plant too much water, it may have damaged the roots. When roots are damaged, they cannot send out water and nutrients to the rest of the plant, causing drooping or yellowing leaves.

What does a healthy money tree look like?

The Money Tree is a perfect indoor foliage plant to give you a tropical feel. With its braided stem and bright green palm looking leaves, it looks both like a tree and palm. Native from Mexico to northern South America, the Money Tree is also very popular in Taiwan and other East Asian countries.

Where should a money tree be placed?

Place your money tree in a spot with lots of bright, indirect light, like a south- or west-facing window, but take care to keep it out of direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves.

How do you prune to encourage branching?

Indoor trees, such as Ficus and Dracaenas, tend to grow vertically, but it is possible to encourage branching by trimming off the topmost point of growth. Doing this will force your plant to branch out from the sides of where you cut, rather than continuing to grow directly upwards.

Where do you cut when pruning?

Know where to cut.

ALWAYS prune back to or just above a growing point (branch or bud) or to the soil line. NEVER leave a stem or branch stub. NEVER top a tree to “rejuvenate” growth. Â This ruins the plant's natural shape and greatly increases its susceptibility to diseases, insect pests, and storm damage.

What is notching pruning?

Notching is when you cut a small cut into the bark of a tree above a bud that you want to encourage to grow. Use a very sharp clear edged knife blade (eg – not serrated), and also ensure that you don't cut more than a third of the way across the full stem.

Do you cut above or below the node?

The node is where leaves, buds and shoots emerge from the stem. You should always cut just above a node, as this prevents 'die back' and therefore disease. Also, by cutting above a node you can manipulate new stems, leaves or flowers to form in a desired direction, as nodes form on different sides of a stem.

How tall does a money tree get?

You most likely know it as that houseplant with the cool braided trunk and shiny green leaves, but the money tree—Pachira aquatica—hails from swampy regions of Central and South America, where it can grow up to 60 feet tall.